Maria knelt down in front of him, taking his hands into hers. Her hands were pale, the skin almost translucent. "It's been awhile, hasn't it?" Her soft voice made him smile. It'd been forever since he'd heard that voice.

Maria's presence seemed to flicker, like a candle's flame. Not quite here, but not gone.

"I'm sorry, Maria," he whispered, clutching her hands tight. "I-I should have protected you." He must be dreaming right now, either that, or he'd finally gone insane. All of the pressure has finally gone to his head, making him see his deceased ex-wife.

She tilted her head. "There was nothing you could have done to protect me. None of this was your fault."

He nodded, looking at the tiled floor.

"It wasn't her fault either."

Evan stared incredulously at his ex-wife.

"Don't give me that look. You know exactly who I'm talking about." Maria narrowed her eyes.

He narrowed his eyes right back. The exchange was familiar to him. They used to do it all the time. Stubborn is, as stubborn does. "I saw it. I saw you…" Evan let her hands go.

"I know, and I'm sorry. You shouldn't have had to see that." She rubbed his shoulder. "But Vanessa had nothing to do with that. She was a tool, a puppet."

"She killed you." Evan replied, frustrated, "She took you away from Gregory. Because of her he'll have to grow up without a-"

"I can show you," Maria said, cutting him off. "Here, give me your hand." She held a hand out.

He stared at it. A part of Evan wasn't entirely sure this interaction was real. Between Maria's flickering frame and everything that had happened in the last forty-eight hours, it wouldn't surprise him that he'd finally lost his mind. But even still…

There was another part of him-the part of him that wanted to hope-that clung to the childish delusion that everything would be okay. That all the bad stuff from '83 onward was just a horrible, terrible, nasty, bad dream. And he'd wake up in his bed tomorrow morning, family alive and intact.

It was that small (wavering) amount of hope that made Evan place his hand in hers.

His surroundings blurred, as he was yanked into another memory. Sights and sounds mixed together until it all suddenly stopped.

The scene in front of him was slightly different than before. No blood was being spilled, and both women were seated in their respective chairs. Vanessa was hunched over, voice small and tone overly exhausted. Maria kept sending worried glances at the younger woman.

"Vanessa, sweetheart, are you alright?"

Vanessa grumbled a half-hearted reply, shifting in her seat. Maria stared at her, seemingly debating on pushing the issue further.

He himself had been in Vanessa's place many times. The only downside-he'd joke to their friends-of having a psychologist for a partner, was that they had a hard time letting things slide.

"Now, have you started journaling?" Maria asked.

Vanessa shook her head.

"I really think it would help. There's been countless studies that indicate that writing down your thoughts and feelings can actually help you process whatever it is you're going through."

Evan smiled fondly at her - her voice like a melody to his ears.

She swiveled in her chair, facing away from Vanessa. Evan continued to watch Maria, even as she rifled through filing cabinets for one thing or another.

A sudden, jerky movement has him turning his head to Vanessa. The young woman was seated upright, back ramrod straight. Her lips twitched into a smile, and her eyes were wide, pupils nearly engulfing her irises.

Curious, Evan came closer to her. Her face was wet, he noted, distantly. And, upon closer inspection, she seemed to be trembling - no…. not trembling…. Vanessa's movements looked more like someone fighting a losing battle, muscles contracting and fingers twitching. She shook her head, a smile still on her face, but it felt fake somehow.

"What- what's happening to her?" He asked aloud. Not expecting a response, but Maria-the ghostly version of her-answered him anyway.

"You remember your father, right?"

"I wish I didn't," Evan grumbled, continuing to watch the scene in front of him. It was like watching a car accident in slow-motion. He knew what the end result would be-Maria bloody and lifeless on the floor, while Vanessa stood above her, knife in hand-but he couldn't bring himself to look away.

Maria came closer to him, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. Even through the fabric of his shirt and safe within the confines of a memory (even one as terrible as this one), Evan shivered at the coldness of her hand.

"I know," she murmured. "He was as horrible as they come. But we need to talk about him."

"No, we don't. My brother and Uncle Henry already dealt with him. Why drudge up the past?"

The irony of 'not wanting to talk about the past' to his dead ex-wife was not lost on Evan.

"Because it matters," Maria argued, letting her hand drop from his shoulder. "Because if I can't make you understand, Gregory will be the one to suffer." Her voice sounded strained, like she was struggling really hard not to cry. "Because…." she trailed off.

The memory started to fade away, colors blending together like watercolors. He turned to Maria, needing some kind of explanation. Her head was bowed slightly, but he could still make out the quivering of her bottom lip.

"Because I failed him," she spoke, voice wavering. "I failed our little boy, Evan. I only wanted the best for him. I tried so hard…so, so hard. And now I have to watch him grow up without me."

"Maria-" Evan started, reaching a hand out to comfort her, but she interrupted him.

"We don't have much time. My energy is almost depleted, and I need you to understand."

"Understand what?"

"That Vanessa wasn't the one that killed me."

Evan scoffed. "What? Am I supposed to believe she has an evil twin?"

Maria tilted her head to the side, eyeing him. "I know for a fact that you used to be observant. How sad you seem to have lost that ability."

"I did not," he retorted, flustered.

"Okay, then…." Maria snapped her fingers, starting the memory over from scratch. "Make an observation."

Evan grumbled something under his breath, but watched the scene unfold for the third time. He noted the seemingly involuntary twitches to Vanessa's arm, leg, and facial muscles. The large, almost comically large cheshire grin on her face, as well as the tears slipping quietly from her eyes.

Evan sighed, crossing his arms. "I…uh…. she looks deranged- ow!" He looked over at a fuming Maria. "What was that for?" He asked, rubbing the back of his head.

She shrugged him off, taking hold of his sleeve. "Look closer."

"I don't remember you ever being this violent."

"Look closer," she urged.

He did so, leaning into Vanessa's personal space. "What am I looking for?" He hissed at Maria. In all honesty, Evan felt a little silly, trying to find whatever it was that apparently made it a-okay for Vanessa to murder Maria.

"But everything looks- huh?" Evan looked at her eyes again. He's seen them before, while sitting across from Vanessa in her living room. Green like a couple of shining emeralds. They almost remind him of-

But he's never given them much thought outside of that one meeting. It's not like Evan was exactly looking into her eyes while she brutally murdered Maria. It's such a minute detail that it was so easy to overlook it.

"Her eyes…they're…they're purple…"

Maria nodded, a pleased expression on her face. "And where have you seen that hue before?"

Backing up, Evan shook his head frantically. "No, no, no…no! My father's gone! Michael took care of him! He's burning in hell!" He can feel himself starting to shake.

"Evan, he's gone," Maria told him, in the same soothing voice she used to use when he was having a panic attack. She stood in front of him. "I'm only showing you a vision of the past. Breathe."

Squeezing his eyes shut, Evan does so.

"Deep breath in…"

He focused intently on her voice, clinging to the familiarity of it to calm his nerves.

"Now deep breath out…good. Better?" She asked.

Opening his eyes, Evan saw her smiling face. The memory was blurred like a watercolor painting again, but he only had eyes for Maria.

"Much better."

"Now, do you understand?"

Evan's brows furrowed as he tried to piece everything together. "I…I think so. But I still don't understand how my father got control over Vanessa."

"That's a little complicated. I admit, I don't understand the logistics of how and when myself. I believe it had something to do with her previous job and a VR game she was testing. But I wouldn't worry too much about the minor details. Just know it wasn't her fault, and your father was defeated once and for all."

"That's…uh…" He rubbed a hand down his face.

"A lot?"

"Yeah." Recovering from his initial shock, he looked at Maria. "I…understand it's not her fault, but Maria, how can you be so sure she's freed from his influence?" There is no malice in his voice. No blame. He knew Vanessa was innocent in all this, but he can't afford to trust someone under his father's control (even unknowingly).

"Let me show-"

"I," Evan started, sharply, "am not watching you die, again. Once was one time too many."

"I…apologize for that. I didn't think about how that would affect you. But I promise I'm going to show you a happier memory. Just something to put your mind at ease."

He nodded, taking Maria's hand.

The scenery changed. They're standing in a dingy room. Up against the furthest wall, a beat-up mattress sits. The walls are disgusting, and the floor is in even worse condition. But what caught Evan's eye was the large arcade cabinet next to the bed. The words: Princess Quest were printed across the top of it.

"Where-where are we…?"

"Shush, watch."

The door to the room suddenly opened. A familiar looking man stepped inside.

"Is that…?"

Maria sent him a knowing look.

"What is…"

Luis crept forward; his eyes locked on the arcade game. His face was set and determined. Reaching the cabinet, he started playing the game.

Why was the man he formed a pseudo-friendship with playing a video game? Why was he playing a video game in this room, of all places? Matter of fact, what is the correlation between Luis and Vanessa being set-

BAM!

Out of nowhere, the door is slammed open, hitting the wall. Luis spared a single glance at the person slinking into the room.

A woman-and Evan assumed it had to be a woman, given their figure-dressed in a rabbit costume (that kind of reminds him of a patchwork quilt), twirled around dramatically.

"Are you having fun yet?" She asked, voice slightly distorted.

But Luis had already returned to the game. "Just hold on, 'Ness," he said. "I…I just need to beat this level, and then, you'll be free."

"'Ness, isn't that short for-"

"Vanessa?" Maria finished for him. "Yes."

"Wait…is that….?"

"Keep watching."

"Aw, but I don't want to be saved," the rabbit lady sighed. "I like it here."

"No, you don't. Vanessa is sweet and kind and would hate the person she's become."

"Well, good thing then, that I'm not Vanessa."

Luis pointedly ignored her, mashing buttons. "C'mon, c'mon…. hurry up." He casted a few quick glances behind his shoulder, as if making sure the rabbit lady hasn't moved.

The rabbit lady (Vanessa?) continued to dance around the room, humming to herself. "I think it's time we ended this game, don't you?"

Again, Luis ignored her.

Even with the mask totally obscuring her face, Evan could sense her pout from a mile away.

She stomped her foot, which looked quite ridiculous given the costume she's in. Somehow, he managed not to laugh.

"Look at me!" She demanded.

He did not.

"Luis, Look at me!"

But his gaze was locked firmly on the game.

"...hm…." she started, calmer than before, "you know, Luis…. she really liked you."

That made him pause. He tensed up.

"Yeah…really liked you. And I have no idea why. I mean, you've been fun to toy with- chase around the pizzaplex all night, but I would rather throw myself off a twenty-story building than go on that lame coffee date you kept asking about."

Evan flinched back. He felt for Luis. The amount of cruelty in the rabbit lady's voice was almost palatable.

Luis slowly relaxed, not paying any mind to her. "Well, Vanny, it's a good thing you aren't Vanessa, now, isn't it?"

The rabbit lady-Vanny-made a noise that sounded more like a rabid dog than anything remotely human. She lunged for Luis, knife out.

Luis mashed a couple more buttons and moved the joystick a few inches to the right. He kicked his foot out, hitting Vanny in the stomach.

"Sorry, 'Ness."

Vanny landed on her stomach. "Ow!" She looked up at Luis. "That fucking hurt! I thought you were one of the 'good' ones."

"Guess you were wrong," he says, attention back on the game.

"I hate you!" She screeched, leaping to her feet. "You ruined my night! You ruined my game! It's not fair! Not fair! Not fair!"

Vanny lunged again, but this time, she wasn't stopped by a kick to the stomach. She grabbed Luis by the back of his shirt collar, sending him tumbling to the ground. Vanny hovered over him, knife poised.

"I win! I win!" She cheered, waving the knife back and forth.

Luis laughed, shaking his head.

Vanny huffed, annoyed with her latest victim's attitude throughout this whole thing. "What's so funny?"

He smiled.

A chime went off, coming from-

"No, Vanny, I win."

Vanny hopped up, turning towards the game cabinet. The screen was all glitchy now. She whirled around to Luis. "What have you done!?" She hissed.

Luis sat up. "Goodbye, Vanny."

Like a puppet's strings being cut, she started to fall to the ground. Instantly, Luis raced forward, catching her.

Carefully, he lowered her to the ground. "I got you, 'Ness," he murmured, removing the head of the costume. Vanessa's face was pale. Paler than the last memory Evan had to sit through. Her blonde hair was slightly tangled and a lot longer. "You're safe now."

The memory stopped abruptly.

"How…when…why do you…" Evan can't figure out how to word his question. "The timeline…were you haunting her?"

Maria suddenly looked sad. She looked at the ground, head bowed. "There were more victims. Younger ones ."

" Oh ."

"Me and the other adults have been doing our best to comfort them. But the poor things. They want to go home so badly. And they were there, in the pizzaplex, when all this occurred. Some of them shared the memory of her being freed with me." As she spoke, tears streamed down her face. "I wish I could do more for them. They remind me so much of Gregory."

Instinctually, Evan reached for her hand. "You can't blame yourself," he murmured.

"Come along now," Maria said, not responding to his remark. "There's more you need to see."

For the third time, he's yanked into a new memory. This time, they're outside in some dirty alleyway. Snow has combined with the dirt and sewer water on the ground, creating a disgusting sludge mixture.

It's snowing, flurries flutter through the air. People pass by the maw of the alley, chattering.

Off to his right, a small lump suddenly moved. Evan turned. "...Gregory?" He moved forward. "Why is he here?"

"Evan, it's a memory, remember?"

He can't find the words to respond, because he's too shocked to speak. His son's hair had always been wild. It became tangled even on the best of days, and no amount of brushing ever changed that. But now it was a total rat's nest.

His face was dirty too, as was everything about him. His clothes were tattered and were nowhere near appropriate for the weather outside.

Gregory's teeth chattered together. He slumped against the wall; eyes squeezed shut. He was cold, wet, and hungry. Everything in him wanted to give up and give in to his desire to sleep.

Just then, a blanket was thrown over Gregory's tiny frame. It swallowed him whole, leaving just his eyes and nose showing.

"What?" Evan asked, confused as to where the blanket came from. "Where did that come from?"

"This is Gregory's memory of the event," she said. "And this," Maria tapped his forehead, changing their perspective to someone hovering above the shivering boy, "is mine."

She had failed. Her baby had gotten away from that awful woman, but now he was going to die in this alley. And, while Maria missed her son terribly, she didn't want to see him again so soon. He deserved to grow up, have a happy life.

Helplessly, Maria watched him suffer in the cold.

She looked around for anything that could help make the cold more bearable. Even a newspaper would do….

Spotting something that resembled a blanket deeper in the alley, Maria summoned all her strength to pull it closer. Carefully, she managed to drape it over her son. Unfortunately, the display of extraordinary power used up all her energy.

The memory wavered, glitching slightly, before it faded to black.

"You…were there with him?"

"The whole time," Maria confirmed.

Evan stared at her in disbelief.

"And there's more." Before he could speak, Maria pressed one of her hands over his forehead.

Instantly, he was bombarded by memories. None of which belong to him. A series of moving pictures. The sensation of being carried, kissed, and hugged. The feeling of sadness turning to unbridled happiness.

Cold….worry….scared….alone….mommy….daddy…where are you?

A woman with hair like gold and kind green eyes hovering over him. She took Gregory into her arms, protecting him from the cold.

Warmth….he hadn't experienced warmth in a long time. She reminded him-in his sickly state-of his mommy.

Worry….why was she leaving Gregory? Did he do something wrong? He was sick and achy and just wanted to go home.

Gregory saw her again - the woman. He's happy. He's safe. His mouth moved before he could stop it. Gregory called the kind woman, 'Momma 'Nessa.' It feels right.

Confusion…worry…. why was this strange man taking him away? But Gregory couldn't find it in himself to worry. He felt oddly at ease.

The man let him pick out toys. His daddy and mommy used to do that too, but Miss Cheyenne was a meanie and didn't let him play with toys. She made him very sad and scared and-

He couldn't bring himself to pick something out. He stuck close to the man, needing protection.

Happy…comfortable…safe…..the man bathed him and dressed him in nice clothes.

Mama 'Nessa showed up…eventually. He was starting to worry she wouldn't show up again. Mommy also didn't show up one day, and Miss Cheyenne-

He squeezed her tight. Mama 'Nessa was here! That's all that mattered. He was too tired to think about anything else.

More memories whirled around Evan, surrounding him on all sides. The feeling of love is evident, almost tangible in how present it is.

Finally, he's released from the onslaught of memories. Tears ran down his face. "I…I don't understand."

Maria wiped away his tears with her thumbs, smiling softly. "And that's okay. It's a lot to take in. It would be remiss of me to expect that of you."

Evan shook her off, taking a step back. "What do you want?" He croaked, using his arm to wipe the remaining wetness away.

Maria tentatively put her arm down. "Evan," she started, "sometimes the best thing you can do for someone you love is let them go."

"Okay….I love you Maria. I hope to see you again….someday."

Maria shook her head, frowning. Her eyes softened, looking at him with something akin to pity. "No. Not me."

"But there's no one-" Evan's eyes widen as the meaning of her words set in. "No, no, I can't. I just got him back. No! I won't. He's all I have left!"

Maria remained silent.

He took a couple steps back, furiously shaking his head. "He needs me," Evan sobbed.

"You have to think about what's best for Gregory. I know it hurts, and that's okay." Maria slowly got closer, bringing him into a hug. "You can always be a part of his life. At least promise me you'll think about it?"

Evan breathed in the smell of her perfume, relaxing in her hold. "Promise," he said, though his mind was already made up.

-x-x-x-

After the door slammed shut, what followed was an uneasy silence. Even Luis was silent, hand hovering over Vanessa's back. "...It'll be okay, 'Ness," he finally murmured, though his voice sounded a little strained.

She nodded, weakly, before standing. "I…I need a minute. Just…uh…s-" That was all Vanessa could get out before her sobs overtook her. She inwardly cringed. Crying in front of people was never something she was okay with.

Other people, sure.

Her? Never.

Vanessa awkwardly excused herself, dismissing all of Luis' concerns with a frantic wave of her hand. She hurried to the bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind her.

Turning on the lights, Vanessa was met with a familiar sight. Her eyes, red-rimmed and face ruddy. Her face and neck felt all sticky, which only made her feel worse. Vanessa's hands trembled as she turned on the tap.

Carefully, she splashed the cool water over her face. For a second, she stood there, watching water drip down her face into the sink basin. Sighing, Vanessa grabbed a towel to wipe her face. She placed it off to the side, glancing up at the mirror. Only to see….

Hiya, Blondie~" Vanny sing-songed. "Long time, no see."

Vanessa gasped, stuck between wanting to run for her life and standing frozen to the spot. She thought of calling to Luis, but she didn't want to bother him anymore than she already had. "You…you…" she stuttered.

"Me!" Vanny cheered, giggling. "Wow, you look like shit."

Vanessa continued to stare in disbelief at her. All her thoughts were jumbled together, unrecognizable.

"Well, at least your outside finally matches your inside. Get it? Because you're a monster." Vanny taunted.

"I don't look that bad," Vanessa shot back weakly.

Vanny shrugged. "Either way, I'm sure Gregory-"

"Shut up! Don't talk about him!" Vanessa snapped, reaching a hand towards the mirror.

"Or what? You'll kill me too?" Vanny asked.

"I can't kill you. You're me."

Vanny hummed. "Now you're catching on."

Vanessa shook her head. "No…that's- I'm not like that. He made me do that. I'm not." She groaned, holding the sides of her head. "Leave me alone!"

"I wonder how long will it take before Luis realizes you're a monster?" Vanny questioned

Finding the strength to leave the bathroom, Vanessa closed the door without looking back. Right or wrong, all she wanted to do right then was curl up in her bed and sleep. She barely made it back to the couch before passing out.

-x-x-x-

Vanessa was washing dishes. She didn't remember starting them, and the pile next to the sink only ever appeared to get bigger. An endless cycle. But the thought of walking away didn't cross her mind. She just continued to happily wash-

"Mama Nessa?"

That voice.

She knew that voice.

Slowly, Vanessa put down the plate she had been holding. She turned. "Gregory?"

Next to her stood Gregory, bouncing on his heels and nodding in response to her question.

Vanessa opened her arms, bending down to his height. "I missed you so much."

He practically lunged himself at her, squealing in delight. "Missed you too."

It happened in slow-motion.

One minute he was beaming at her, and she was smiling right back…

The next…

He was lying limp and unresponsive in her arms.

"What…? Gregory? Gregory?" Vanessa asked as she shook him slightly. "This isn't funny. Wake up." She laughed, but none of this felt remotely funny to her. "Come. On. Wake up!"

He remained unresponsive, skin slowly growing colder and body growing rigid.

Vanessa clutched him tighter to her chest, sobbing. "No! Please…please….don't do this to me. Wake up! Wake up! I'm sorry! Come back to me! Please!" She said desperately.

"'Ness," Luis started, appearing from somewhere behind her. "It's going to be alright."

She felt his hand touch her shoulder, but before Vanessa could warn him, he too, was lying dead at her feet.

Vanessa looked up, tears blurring her vision. She gasped, further tightening her hold on Gregory. In front of her were all of her victims. The ones she had slain while under Glitchtrap's control. She knew there were a lot of them, but seeing them all in front of her made it all the more real.

They stared back at her with dead eyes and pained expressions.

Vanny stepped forward, pushing them out of the way.

"You," Vanessa trembled. "Stay-stay away!"

Cackling, Vanny gestured towards all the victims. "Now, that's rich coming from someone like you. I mean, you were the one that killed all these people." Vanny stated.

"No. That was you. I'm not like that." Vanessa weakly said

"Remind me again who I am under this mask?"

"Fuck you!" Vanessa said through gritted teeth. Her voice sounded strained even to herself. "Leave me alone!"

Vanny ignored her. "You ruined so many lives. It's almost impressive. Hm…maybe you really are a monster."

Vanessa felt weak. She felt powerless. It was no use anyway. Fighting Vanny only ever seemed to make things worse.

Vanny crept closer. She sighed. "Face it, Vanessa, the only thing you're good at is hurting people." She bent down, bunny ears flopping over. "The sooner you realize that, the better."

Her surroundings blurred together, and Vanny's voice started to become fainter.

-x-x-x-

Luis stroked Vanessa's hair, soothing back her bangs. It had been a long day, and while he was happy Gregory was now back in the custody of his only living parent, he couldn't deny that he missed the kid.

The lack of his presence was evident. The only evidence of him being there was his birthday presents still on the coffee table. His heart ached.

Logically, Luis knew that this could happen. Vanessa and him wanted this to happen. So, why did it hurt so much? He'd lost people before. He had enough dead people in his family that Luis was expecting a family reunion when he finally keeled over.

It then hit him that, in spite of being called, 'Papa Luis' through the weeks they spent together, Luis genuinely thought of Gregory as his son.

His heart broke again for his abuela.

Suddenly, her grief didn't seem so unreasonable.

If this was what missing someone felt like, Luis never, ever wanted to experience the pain his family felt during Gabriel's disappearance.

"AAH!" Vanessa suddenly screamed, jolting upright.

Luis narrowly avoided his chin knocking against the top of her head. He scooted over on the couch, giving her space. Judging by her reaction and names Evan called her, he would hazard a guess that she had another nightmare.

"Bad dream?" He asked, once Vanessa was no longer hyperventilating.

"Yeah."

"Vanny?"

"Mhm," she muttered, staring at the ground.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Luis asked.

"She's bothering me again. I just want her to…"

Luis leaned in closer, wrapping his arms around her. For a second she tensed up before relaxing in his hold. "Leave you alone?" He said, finished her sentence.

"Uh, huh, yeah, basically. I don't understand why I can't get over that."

"Ness, it was a very traumatic period of your life. It will take time," Luis said.

And Vanessa knew that. She'd known that since the day he set her free. It'd been a lingering thought in the back of her head. The dreaded phrase, 'It will take time.' It'd been months since that day, and she hadn't felt any better. Vanny hadn't slowed down on stalking her.

"How much time?" She asked.

"I don't know, but just know, no matter how long it takes…I'll remain right by your side."

Maybe it was the words Luis said, or the earnest way he said them, but Vanessa felt herself tearing up. Her bottom lip quivered, as she looked up at Luis.

"Promise?" She asked quietly.

Luis smiled at her, tears running down his face as well. "Promise…forever and always."

-x-x-x-

They fell asleep in each other's arms, safe and happy. Reruns of an old 1980s sitcom played on the TV, filling the otherwise dark room with a bright light.

Vanessa didn't have a single nightmare that night. Instead, she dreamt of the future.

And then, someone started knocking at the front door.